Personal debt, repossession and unemployment rates have rocketed in Harrow as residents prepare for one of the most frugal Christmases in decades.

Personal debt, repossession and unemployment rates have rocketed in Harrow as residents prepare for one of the most frugal Christmases in decades.

Given the economic climate, with the festive period under way the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) and UK Insolvency Helpline have been inundated with calls from desperate Harrovians.

In May this year, Harrow CAB counselled residents on debt amounting to £241,325. By September this had risen to a staggering £1.6million.

During the same period, the UK insolvency Helpline had almost 600 calls from residents enquiring about filing for bankruptcy, and unemployment rates and benefit claims have soared.

Recent statistics show 31,300 (22.8 per cent) of those of working age in the borough are out of a job - the highest unemployment rates for more than three years - and those claiming Jobseekers' allowance have risen gradually for the past 13 months.

In the third quarter of this year, Uxbridge County Court, which serves Harrow, has also seen a 54 per cent rise in repossession orders made against homeowners, while house prices have plummeted by an average of more than £25,000.

Businesses such as Woolworths, Argos and Marks and Spencer have slashed their prices in time for Christmas, believing shoppers are on the hunt for bargains.

Steve Kent, the manager of St George's Shopping Centre in Harrow town centre, said: "Although we still have a strong shopper base, this Christmas and next year are going to be very tough.

"It has certainly been a lot quieter this year and it seems people are happy to wait until the last minute for bargains.

"There could be a few shock casualties next year."

Malcolm Parr, the chairman of Harrow in Business, a group which gives advice to small firms, is just as concerned about the impact on local traders.

He said: "This is the worst period for businesses in Harrow I have seen in 20 years.

"Harrow has one of the highest levels of independent businesses across the country but in the current climate they are going to continue to leave the borough."

If these issues were not enough, according to Hazel Hewett of relation-ship support charity Relate, the need to penny-pinch is also placing a strain on relationships.

She said: "We have seen many cases of credit card debts getting out of control and relationships will be tested to their limits in these circumstances."